Power-driven mechanism and portable demountable supporting standard therefor



D 2,474,250 TABLE DEMOUNTABLE RD THEREFOR June 28, 1949. s. R. HOW

- POWER-DRIVEN MECHANISM AND surroarme STANDA 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 27. 1944 June 28, 1949.

F 1 d J 1y 2'! 1944 s. HOWAR 2,474,250 POIER-DRIVBN MECHA M AND PORTABLE DEHOUNTABLE SUPPORTING STANDARD THEREFOR 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 28, 1949. s. R. How 2,474,250

MECHANIS POWER-DRIVEN M AND FOR LE DEMOUNTABLE SUPPORTING STANDARD THEREFOR Filed July 27. 1944 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN' OR.

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POWER-DRIVEN MECHANISM AND PORTABLE DEHQUNTABLE SUPPORTING STANDARD THEREFOR Filed July 27. 1944 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 28, 1949. s. R. HOWARD 2;474,250

POWER-DRIVEN MECHANISM AND PORTABLE DEMOUNTABLE surrom'ms suummn THEREFOR l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 27. 1944 INI'ENTOR.

June 28, 1949. s. R. HOWARD 2,474,259

POWER-DRIVEN IECH SM AND PORTABLE DBIOUNTABLB SUPPORTI STANDARD THEREFGR Filed July 27, 1944 12 Shoots-Sheet 6 N V EN TOR.

June 28, 1949. s. R. HOWARD 7 POWER-DRIVEN MECHANISM AND PORTABLE DEIOUNTABLE SUPPORTING STANDARD THEREFOR Filed July 27,1944 12 She ts-Sheet 7 ZNVENTOR.

June 28, 1949. s. R. HOWARD 2,474,250

POWER-DRIVEN MECHANISM AND PORTABLE DEMOUNTABLE SUPPORTING STANDARD THEREFOR Filed July 27, 1944 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 IN V EN TOR.

55 1 a iZQZZL June 28, 1949. s. R. HOWARD 2 474250 POWER-DRIVEN MECHANISM AND PORTABLE DEMOUNTABLE SUPPORTING STANDARD THEREFOR Filed July 27, 1944 l2 Sheets-Sheet l0 O O 34 a I N VEN TOR.

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June 28, 1949. 5. R. HOWARD 2,474,25G

POWER-DRIVEN MECHANISM AND PORTABLE DEMOUNTABLE SUPPORTING STANDARD THEREFOR Filed July 2'7. 1944 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 O 9 o o G O G G 0 O i V I INVENTOR. 5 5225/6 fibyfilfldfd June 28, 1949. s. R. HOWARD 2,474,250 POWER-DRIVEN UECHANIS" AND PORTABLE DEHOUNTABLE SUPPORTING STANDARD THEREFOR Filed July 27, 1944 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 INVEN'TUR Patented June 28, 1949 ABLE DEMOUNTABLE SUPPORTING STANDARD THEREFOR Stanley R. Howard, North Quincy, Mass., assignor,

by mesne assignments, to Belmont Radio Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application July 27, 1944, Serial No. 546,858 21 Claims. (01. 248-1) This invention relates to a power-driven I mechanism including an extended rotatable vertical shaft and a portable demountable supporting standard therefor and, while it is of general application, it is particularly adapted for use as a driving mechanism and supporting standard for a rotatable directional antenna array and will be illustrated and described insuch .an embodiment.

There is a considerable need for portable demountable power driven mechanisms and for portable demounting supporting standards therefor which can be assembled and disassembled quickly for movement from place to place. It is desirable that the mechanism and its associated standard should be compact when disassembled, to facilitate shipping, and that it should be mechanically as simple as possible consistent with performance requirements, so .that it can be assembled and disassembled by relatively unskilled labor and with the use of a minimum number of special tools and assembly jigs. At the same time, it is important that themechanism and its standard be of rigid construction when assembled and have a precision of performance, both of its cooperating elements and of the assembly as a whole, consistent with the requirements for the particular installation.

For example, when the invention is applied to a rotatable directional antenna array, it is of utmost importance that the rotation of the antenna be subject continuously to a most precise control, either at the base of the mechanism or A are simplicity in the assembling and disassembling operations, ruggedness of the assembled apparatus, and compactness when disassembled for shipment.

It is an object of the invention, therefore, to provide a new and improved power-driven mechanism and a portable demountable supporting standard therefor embodying one or more of the following advantageous characteristics; simplicity of assembly and disassembly; compactness in disassembly;. ruggedness; and accuracy in 2 performance of the apparatus as a whole when assembled.

In accordance with the invention, a portable demountable supporting standard for a mechanism including an extended vertical shaft comprises a plurality of radially extending supporting arms and junction means for detachably securing the arms together at their inner ends. The standard also includes a plurality of upwardly extending braces detachably individually secured to points on the arms remote from their inner ends and junction means for securing the braces together at their upper ends and comprising a bearing for the vertical shaft.

Further, in accordance with the invention, in a portable demountable supporting standard including a pluralityof radially extending supporting arms, each including at its outer end a plurality of vertically spaced supporting elements, which standard may be of conventional construction but is preferably of the type described in the preceding paragraph, there is provided an adjustable pedestal for each of the arms comprising a base member of substantial supporting area, an upwardly extending threaded supporting shaft rotatably supported from the member, and a cradle threaded on the shaft and including vertically spaced supports positioned to engage the supporting elements of the supporting arms. The upwardly extending shaft is pivotally mounted on the base member to permit alignment of the supports of the cradle and the supporting elements of the arm. v

Further in accordance with the invention, in a portable demountable supporting standard including a plurality of detachable structural members, such standard being either of conventional construction or preferably of the type described above, there is provided an adjustable joint for a pair of the detachable members comprising complementary engaging elements for the members sufllciently loose-fitting to facilitate ready engagement of the members in assembly. The joint also includes camming means pivotally mounted on one of the members and a complementary aperture formed in the other of the.

members adapted to engage the camming means, pivotal adjustment of the camming means being effective to position the members accurately relative to each other. 7

Further in accordance with the invention, in a portable demountable supporting standard for a mechanism including a vertical rotatable shaft, which standard may be of standard construction but preferably is of the type described above,

there is provided a fulcrum joint comprising a member adapted to be supported from the standard and including means for rotating the shaft. The joint also includes a member secured to the shaft, complementary hinge elements formed on the members, a removable hinge pin for the elements serving as a fulcrum about which the shaft may be swung from a horizontal position to a vertical position, and means independent of the hinge elements for securing the members together with said shaft in a vertical position.

Further in accordance with the invention, in a portable demountable supporting standard for a mechanism including an extended vertical rotating shaft and a plurality of radially extending supporting arms forming a cradle between their inner ends, which standard may be of conventional construction but is preferably of the type described above, there is provided a preassembled portable driving and shaft-supporting unit comprising a casing proportioned to fit within the cradle and having supporting provisions adapted detachably to engage the arms. A support for the shaft is disposed in and projects from the top of the casing and is rotatable about a vertical axis and the unit includes also a driving motor connected to rotate the support.

Further in accordance with the invention, a power driven mechanism comprises a combination of one or more of the features described in the preceding paragraphs or of subsidiary features thereof.

Also in accordance with the invention, a portable demountable supporting standard comprises a combination of one or mom of the features described in the preceding paragraphs or of subsidiary features thereof.

For a better understanding of the invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings while its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings:

V Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a complete power-driven mechanism and a portable demountable supporting standard therefor as it appears in the final step of the assembly operation;

Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views illustrating the assembly of the inner sections of the arms of the standard;

Fig. .4 is a perspective view of the assembly of a joint between the inner and outer sections of an arm of the standard;

Fig. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a camming pin embodied in the joint of Fig. 4, while Fig. 5a is a detailed elevation of the assembled joint of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a pedestal support for each of the arms of the standard, while Figs. 7a and 7b are top and side detail views, respectively, of the engaging elements of the pedestal and the outer arm section of the support of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a side view of the assembly of the standard arm, the pedestal, the driving unit and braces;

Fig. 9 is a detail of a junction between the braces and arms of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a detail of a collar for securing together the top ends of the braces;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the driving unit per se;

Fig. 12 is a top view of the vertical shaft during its assembly to the driving unit;

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional detail of the construction of the bearing and rotatable support for the vertical shaft in the drive unit;

Fig. 14 is anexploded elevation'of the driving unit and mast assembly;

Figs. 15a and 1517 are top and fragmentary side views, respectively, of the internal arrangement of components of the driving unit of Fig. 11;

Fig. 16 is a simplified circuit diagram of the control circuit and connectors of the driving unit; while Fig. 17 is a'detailed view, partially in crosssection, of an assembly of the external coaxial cable for completing the circuit connections to the antenna.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawing, there is represented pictorially a complete portable demountable mechanism and a portable demountable supporting standard therefor. To aid in the understanding of the detailed description of the compon features of the apparatus only a general reference to the principal features will initially be made with reference to Fig. 1, while a detailed description will follow with reference to the succeeding figures. The apparatus of Fig. 1 comprises essentially an extended hollow vertical rotatable shaftill shown in the process of being hoisted to its vertical position, illustrated in dotted-line outline. The shaft I0 is supported and driven by a portable demountable unitary driving or operating mechanism ii which, in turn, is supported from a portable demountable standard comprising a plurality, preferably three, of radially extending supporting arms 12 which in practice may be substantially identical. At the outer end of each of the arms i2, there is pro vided an adjustable pedestal or jack l3 by means of which the supporting standard may be leveled. There are also provided a plurality of upwardly extending braces i4 detachably secured to points on the arms i2 remote from their inner ends and there are provided junction means such as a collar l5 for securing the braces 14 together at the upper ends, the collar l4 and the braces l4 constituting a tripod assembly. The collar l5 includes a split bearing for receiving and supporting the vertical shaft l0.

One of the features of the demountable supporting standard is an adjustable joint for associated detachable members of the apparatus, such as the joints i6 between the inner and outer sections of the supporting arms l2 and the joints ll between the supporting arms I! and the unitary operating mechanism ll Another feature of the invention is the fulcrum joint i8 between the vertical mast l0 and the operating mechanism H, which is a temporary joint facilitating the erection of the mast Ill from the horizontal position to the vertical position. This erection is effected by means of a cable 19 running from a midpoint of the shaft Ill over a pulley I5a attached to the collar [5 and to a block and tackle 20 attached near the end of one of the arms I2. With this arrangement, the shaft lil may be readily erected to the vertical position in spite of apparatus of considerable weight disposed at its upper end.

While the portable demountable mechanism and the portable demountable standard thereof of Fig. l is ofgeneral application to mechanism embodying an extended vertical rotatable shaft, the invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 as applied to a mechanism and standard for driving and supporting, respectively, a directional antenna array 2|; however, the .antenna per se forms no part of the present invention.

In operation, the apparatus of Fig. 1, after assembly as described in detail hereinafter, may be leveled by means of the adjustable pedestals l3 and may be stabilized by applying sandbags or other suitable weights to hangers 22 attached near the outer ends of the supporting arms l2. Electrical connections for apparatus within the unitary operating mechanism II or for electrical apparatus, such as the antenna 2|, disposed at the upper end of the shaft l0 maybe made by way of suitable cables 23, 39 which make con- 1 nection atthe base of the operating mechanism ll certain of the connections passing up through a rotary connector therein, through the shaft l0,

and to the electrical apparatus, such as the an- 1 tenna 2|, at the upper end of the shaft.

In view of the complexity of certain of the components of the demountable mechanism and supporting standard illustrated, it is believed that an understanding of the invention can best be had by reference to a detailed description of the assembly process of the several components.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, there are represented the steps of assembling the three radially extending supporting arms l2 at their inner ends. To this end, there is provided a junction means for detachably securing the armstogether at their inner ends; for example, an anchor 30 permanently attached tothe inner'end of one of the arms l2 by bolts, rivets, or the like and including provisions for detachably engaging the inner ends of the other arms.

The detachable engaging provisions for the anchor 30 and the other arms l2 comprise complementary engaging elements for the members which are sufiiciently loose-fitting to facilitate their ready engagement in'assembly, together with camming means pivotally mounted on one of the members and a complementary aperture formed in the other and adapted to engage the camming means, pivotal adjustment of the cam- I ming means being effective to position the members accurately relative .to each other. Specifically, the complementary engaging elements comprise the radially extending lugs 30a on anchor 30 and complementary aligning slots l2b formed in extensions l2a of two of the arms l2.

The camming means comprises apairv of pins 31 eccentrically mounted in the anchor member 30 substantially normal to the radially projecting lugs 3041, while complementary apertures or slots l2c are formed in the lower faces of the projections l2a. In assembly, the arm l2 to which the anchor 30 is attached is raised from the ground and the slotted ends of. the arms I! are hooked on eccentric pins or bolts 3| and the arms pivoted by the pins 3| until the lugs 30a rest against the back of the aligning slots l2b; that is, the comtoured so that together they form a cradle for receiving and supporting the driving mechanism II. The upperface of the inner end of each of the arms I! is provided with a plurality of tapped holes l2d for receiving the captive bolts llb and is also provided with an upstanding aligning pin l2e disposed to engage the complementary aligning slot in the under face of one of the projecting lugs Ila of the mechanism II. The mechanism ll, shown in more detail in Fig. 11, is provided with a pair of carrying handles lld by means of which it may be transported, lifted and placed in the cradle formed by the arms l2, the pins in registering with the slots llc accurately toposition the mechanism. The eccentric pins or bolts 3l are then rotatably adjusted accurately to position the arms I! and the mechanism II, that is,

until the tapped holes l2d are in alignment with the captive bolts llb, whereupon. these bolts are tightened to secure the mechanism to the inner ends of the arms l2 in a precisely predetermined position and to form a rigid unitary structure.

" Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 5a, each of the supporting arms l2 includes a pair of disengageable abutting sections or arm members l2! and l2g which are preferably assembled immediately after assembly of the inner sections thereof to the anchor member as described above. Each of the sections l2f, l'2g may be of any suitable truss or girder construction. They are adapted to be detachably secured together by means of an adjustable joint of the same general type as utilized for securing tli arms I! to the anchor member 30. This joint comprises complementary engaging elements, for example, a hinge joint comprising alignable apertures i271. and l2i at the bottoms of the abutting portions of the arms l2}, l2g, respectively, and a removable hinge pin Hi. The camming means comprises a pair of extension arms l2k secured to the abutting end of the section l2 and a camming pin [2m eccentrically mounted in the upper end of the arm section l2g and disposed to register with slots l2n in the extensions l2k. In assembly, the outer sectionl2g is relatively tilted in a counter-clockwise direction and the pin l2m dropped in theslots l2n, thereupon the sections l2! and l2g are relatively rotated about the pin l2m as a pivot until the apertures l2h and l2i are in alignment, whereupon the removable hinge pin I27 isinserted. The construction of the hinge components l2h, I22, l2jis sufiiciently loose-fitting to facilitate their ready engagement in assembly, whereupon the eccentric camming pin l2m is pivotally adjusted to draw the sections l2} and l2g into a tight abutting relation, as represented in the movement of the elements from the full-line position to the dotted-line position in Fig. 5a. The parts may be firmly secured in their final relation by meansbf a lock nut on camming pin or bolt lZm.

Referring to Figs. 6, 7a and 7b, the portable-demountable standard also includes an adjustable pedestal l3 for each of the supporting arms comprising a base member 13a of substantial supporting area and an upwardly extending threaded supporting shaft l3b rotatably supported from the base member by means of .a universal connection such as the'ball and socket l3c. The pedestal also includes a cradle l3d threaded on the shaft andincluding vertically spaced supports positioned to engage similarly spaced supporting elements of the arm l2. For example,

eachof the supportingarms l2 has at its outer l 7 end a pair of vertically spaced'apertured supporting lugs I20 and Hg: while the cradle I 3d includes a pair of vertically spaced collars lie and I81 engaging the shaft I31) and positioned and proportioned to effect a locking engagement with the apertured lugs I2o-and I2p respectively. As shown more clearly in Figs. 7a and 7b, the apertured lugs have a restricted opening I2g which is dimensioned to admit the threaded shaft I3b and then to slip down over the collars I3e and I3 respectively, which are of larger diameters and prevent the horizontal disengagement of the lugs I20, I2p and collars I3e, I3 respectively.

The ball and socket connection I30 of the shaft I3b to the base member I3a not only permits rotation of the shaft I3b but constitutes a pivotal mounting, permitting alignment of the supporting elements or collars of the cradle lid and the supporting elements or lugs I20, I2p of the arm I2. In order to secure the parts together more firmly, there is provided a hold-down clamping means pivoted to the base member I3a' for securing the shaft thereto and comprising a pair of links I39 engaging eyes I3h in the base I3a, and a yoke I31 engaging a shoulder on the shaft I3b, the parts being tightened by means of wing nuts I37 threaded on the links I3g.

The upper end of the shaft B22 is squared or otherwise formed to engage a wrench for rotatably adjusting it to raise and lower the threaded cradle I3d and thus to raise and lower the outer end of the-associated arm I2. By adjustment of the several pedestals $3, Fig. l, the supporting standard may be leveled with the aid of a spirit bubble level He (Fig. 11). The

an extension of the inner section of each of the arms I2. and a forked extension Ila on the lower end of each of the braces I4, together with a hinge pin Ilb, Fig. 9. The tripod assembly also includes a collar I5 including provisions for securing the upper ends of the braces together, which may be pivotal connections I4c between the braces I4 and the collar I5. The collar is provided with a split bearing, Fig. 10, comprising a pivoted segment I5b adapted to open to admit the shaft I0 and to be engaged by a swing bolt I5c to lock the split bearing and supporting the shaft III in position.

Usually it will be found preferable to construct the rotatable vertical mast It in two flanged sections Ilia, Ilib (Fig. 12) secured together by captive bolts IIIc. To aid in assembling the mast to the supporting standard, there is provided a fulcrum joint for engaging and positioning the inner section Ilia of the shaft III, as indicated in with a member such as a flanged sleeve Hid pedestal also includes means for locking the cradle I3 against rotation during rotatable adjustment of the shaft I3b, as described, this means being in the form of a spring-biased latch I3k engaging a notch in the side of the lug I2p.

During assembly, the cradle I3d is turned so that it is approximately midway between the two links I3g, the outer end of the: arm I2 is lifted so that the'apertures in the lugs I20, I2p engage the shaft I31; and slide down over the collars I3e and 13f. With the weight taken off the pedestal by lifting the end of the arm I2, the cradle I3d is rotated until the latch I3k snaps in the slot in the side of the lug I2p.

After similarly installing the several pedestals I3, the shaft I3b of each is adjusted to level the supporting standard, as described. Thereupon, link tie rods 24 are installed interconnecting intermediate points of the arms I2, Figs. 1 and 8. At this point, the preassembled unitary driving mechanism II is installed, as described above, whereupon the captive bolts III: of the operating mechanism are tightened. One of the links 24 is provided with an adjustable turnbuckle 24a which is then adjusted to take up any slack in the links and increase the rigidity of the structure. Still referring to Fig. 8, the supporting standard also includes a plurality of upwardly extending braces detachably individually secured to points on the arms I2 remote from their inner ends and a lune-- tion means for securing the braces together at their upper ends and comprising a bearing for the vertical shaft III. Specifically, these braces are in the form of a tripod assembly including three upwardly extending braces I4, each detachably secured to an intermediate point of one of the arms I 2, preferably at the junction of the two 'sections of each of the arms, by a hinge connection comprising an apertured lug I21 formed as secured to the shaft. There is mounted in the casing II a member such as a flanged spindle 25 (Figs. 12 and 13) rotatable about a vertical axis for supporting and rotating the shaft I0. Complementary hinge elements are formed on the casing II, the flanges of the spindle 25 and the sleeve Ilid of the shaft III. Specifically, the casing II is provided with upstanding apertured lugs I I f, while the spindle 25 is provided with apertured upstanding lugs 25a and the sleeve IIId is provided with apertured lugs Ifle. In assembly, these various hinge apertures are lined up and a removable hinge pin 26 is inserted therethrough to serve as a fulcrum. Thereupon, the upper shaft section IIlb is secured to the section Ilia and an electrical apparatus at the upper end of the shaft I0, such as the antenna 2|, Fig. 1, is also assembled. Thereupon thehoist line I9 and block and tackle 20 are attached, the hoist line I9 passing over the pulley I5a of collar I5 to raise the shaft III to its vertical position. Durin this operation, the removable hinge pin 26 and associated hinge apertures serve as a fulcrum about which the shaft II] can be swung from the horizontal position to the vertical position and serve also to align the spindle 25 and the shaft sleeve Ifld during assembly.

The mechanism also includes means independent of the fulcrum or hinge elements for securing the shaft sleeve Ilid and the spindle 25 together with the shaft III in a vertical position. To

this end, the flange of the sleeve IIId is provided collar I5 is closed and secured by the swing bolt.

we to retain the shaft I0 and provide a supporting bearing therefor at a substantial distance from the base of the shaft.

In Fig. 13 there are illustrated the details of the mounting of the rotatable spindle 25 in the casing of the operating mechanism I I. Secured to the inner end of the spindle 25 is a hub 250 on which is formed a spur gear 25d for rotating the spindle and shaft assembly. Also secured to the spindle 25 is an inwardly projecting flanged sleeve 25c on 'which is supported a bevelled-edge spur gear 25f, the relation of the gears 25d and 25! to the remaining portion of the apparatus being described hereinafter. The gear 25! is formed with an insert 25f of insulation material such as Bakelite in which are disposed a plurality of socket contact elements Hi to form a rotary socket connector. The spindle assembly 25 is supported from the casing mechanism H by means of a ball bearing 21, above and below which are mounted seals 28 and 29, while the bearings and seals are protected against the elements by means of a, cap 30 disposed above them and surrounding and secured to the spindle 25.-

Referring now to Figs. 14, 15a. and 152), there are illustrated the details of the preassembled portable driving, shaft supporting, and control unit embodying certain features of the invention. This unit comprises the casing ll proportioned to fit within the cradle formed by the inner ends of the supporting arms i2, as illustrated particularly in Fig. 3 and described above.

For convenience in assembling, the casing ii is horizontally divided into three sections liq, tin

and Hi, the upper section My supporting the flanged spindle 25 which, in turn, supports and drives the vertical shaft it, as previously described. Secured to and forming a unitary part of the casing ii is a drivin motor 3! having a vertical drive shaft-on which is mounted a pinion em which upon assembly of the various sections Hg, tin and iii of the casing is disposed to engage the spur gear 23d attached to the spindle 25 for rotating the vertical shaft it.

I Also mounted within the casing ii is a dynamoelectric machine, specifically a self-synchronous V M. terminate in a connector 33, Fig. 12, at its lower end. In order to supply the desired power to the antenna in via the connector 33, there is mounted in the lower section I It of the casing a rotary connector 34 including :one fixed portion and one portion rotatably supported from the casing. For

example, the fixed portion comprises terminal posts 34a, 34a including a plurality of terminals and between which are supported a plurality of pairs of brushes or collectors 3429, each pair being engaged by a band 34c tensioned by a spring 349. The rotary connector also includes a portion 34d suitably rotatably supported from the bottom casing Hi and provided with a plurality of slip rings 34c registering with the brushes 34b. The member 33d also includes a plurality of upwardly extending contact pins 33) comprising a rotary connector complementary to the socket connector 257', 251 mounted at the lower end of the spindle 25. Disposed within the spindle Z5 is an auxiliary rotary connector dl (Figs. 12, 13 and 17) comprising a cylindrical body portion ila of insulation material, such as molded Bakelite, in which are inserted a plurality of contact elements Mb connected by conductors tic extending through apertures in the body M angular misalignment while maintaining the detransmitter 32, including a shaft rotatable about a vertical axis, such shaft having a driving connection for engaging the vertical shaft iii, preferably including the rotatable supporting spindle 25; This driving connection includes a bevelled edge spur gear 33a mounted on the shaft of the machine and disposed, upon assembly of the unit, to engage the gear 25f secured to the extension 25c of supporting spindle 25. The machine 32 is pivoted or otherwise mounted for limited pivotal motion about a horizontal axis near the base of the machine and there is provided means for biasing the machine about such pivotal axis to effect positive engagement of its driving. connection with the vertical shaft i3, irrespective of limited deflection of the vertical shaft due to external transverse forces, such as wind loading, operating on the antenna 2!. To this end, the machine 32 is provided with lugs 32b which are pivoted in the upper ends of pins or supports Hi upstanding from the bottom of the casing section I ii, the axes of the pivots 32b being coaxial. The machine 32 is also provided with a mounting bolt 320 remote from the axis of the pivots 3217 on which is threaded a helical biasing spring 3211 normally under compression so as to bias or urge the machine 32 for pivotal movement about the axis of the pivots 32b and to bias its gear 32a into engagement with the associated gear 25f of the drive shaft ill. The bevelled edges of gears 25f and 32a facilitate their engagement during assembly of the mechanism.

As previously described, the apparatus is designed to carry an electrical apparatus such as the directional antenna array 2|, Fig. l, at the upper end of the shaft in and the circuit connections for such apparatus are carried by the shaft, that is, they extend through the shaft and sired circuit connections. The connector M is also provided with a keyway Md adapted to be engaged by a key 33b (Fig. 12) to ensure accurate registration between the contacts of the two rotary connector elements t! and 33. Thus, with the mast iii assembled in its upright position, the electrical circuits to the antenna array 28 are completed from the rotary plug connector 3 3 through the rotary socket connector 251', 251', the conductors tile, and the rotary connectors ll and 33.

There is also included within the lower casing iii a control-circuit terminal board 35 including terminals for the electrical apparatus at the upper end of the shaft it via the rotary connector 33, 3d and terminals for the dynamo-electric machine 32 and motor 3!. The connections from the terminals of terminal board 35 to the motor 3! include'a switch 33. of the terminal board'35 are also connected to an electrical connector 3.! (Fig. 14) of eitherthe plug or socket type accessible externally of the casing but normally closed by a cap 31a (Fig. 15a) to protect the electrical contacts.

Asimplifled circuit diagram of the electrical apparatus and the control unit within the casing II is represented by Fig. 16, in which elements corresponding to those of Figs. 14, 15a and 15b are identified by the same reference numerals to aid in identification.

' In Fig. 17 is represented a rigid coaxial connector 38 having an elbow section 38:1 for making connection from an external coaxial cable 39, Fig. 1, to the conductors 40 (Fi 12) extending through the hollow vertical shaft Ill. The connector 38 is secured to the extension 45 on the underside of the lower casing section lit by suitably threaded connectors and extends upto the lower end of the shaft in. Extension 45 The several terminals electrical coupling.

One of the swing bolts 25b for securing the flanged sleeve Incl to the flanged supporting spindle 25 includes a pivoted link 25g pivotally connected to a pin 25h extending through an aperture 25k in the side of the spindle 25. These elements are so proportioned that the coaxial connector 38 cannot be inserted to register with a complementary element in the sleeve lflb unless the swing bolts 2517 are in positions corresponding to the locking of the shaft sleeve id to the spindle 25. Conversely, the swing bolt 25b cannot be withdrawn to release the shaft sleeve IOd until the rigid coaxial connector 38 has been withdrawn, thus preventing injury to the coaxial connector by an attempt to disassemble the vertical shaft before removal of the coaxial connector 38.

Thus it is seen from the foregoing description that there is provided by the invention a portable demountable power-driven mechanism and a portable demountable standard therefor which can be readily assembled and disassembled for movement from place to place. At the same time, the mechanism can be assembled and disassembled by relatively unskilled labor and with the use of a minimum number of special tools and assembly jigs, while the resulting mechanism, when assembled, is of rigid construction but involves a precise cooperation of the several elements to permit an accurate control of the mechanism from a local or remote controlling station.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A portable demountable supporting standard for a mechanism including an extended vertical rotatable shaft comprising, a plurality of radially extending supporting arms, junction means for detachably securing said arms together at their inner ends, a plurality of upwardly extending braces detachably individually secured to points on said arms remote from their inner ends, and junction means for securing said braces together at their upper ends and comprising a bearing for the vertical shaft.

2. A portable demountable supporting standard for a mechanism including an extended vertical rotatable shaft comprising, a plurality of radially extending supporting arms, each of said arms including a pair of disengageable sections, junction means for detachably securing said arms together at their inner ends, a plurality of upwardly extending braces detachably individually secured to the junctions of said arm sections, and junction means for securing said braces together at their upper ends and comprising a bearing for the vertical shaft.

3. A portable demountable supporting standard for a mechanism including an extended vertical rotatable shaft comprising, a plurality of radially extending supporting arms, junction means for detachably securing said arms together at their inner ends, a plurality of up wardly extending braces detachably individually secured to points on said arms remote from their inner ends, and a collar including provisions for securing said braces together at their upper ends and including also a split bearing for receiving and supporting the vertical shaft.

4. A portable demountable supporting standard for a mechanism including an extended vertical rotatable shaft comprising, three radially extending supporting arms, junction means for detachably securing said arms together at their inner ends, and a tripod assembly including three upwardly extending braces each detachably secured to a point on one of said arms remote from its inner end and a collar pivotally engaging the upper ends of said braces and provided with a split bearing for receiving and supporting the vertical shaft.

5. A portable demountable mechanism comprising, an extended vertical rotatable shaft, a unitary driving means for said shaft, a supporting standard including a plurality of radially extending supporting arms, junction means for de tachably securing said arms together at their inner ends, the inner ends of said arms being contoured to form a cradle for receiving and supporting said driving means, a plurality of upwardly extending braces detachably individually secured to points on said arms remote from their inner ends, and junction means for detachably securing said braces together at their upper ends and comprising a bearing for said vertical shaft.

6. In a portable demountable supporting standard including a plurality of radially extending supporting arms each including at its outer end a plurality of vertically spaced supporting elements, an adjustable pedestal for each of said arms comprising, a base member of substantial supporting area, an upwardly extending threaded supporting shaft rotatably supported from said member, and a cradle threaded on said shaft and including vertically spaced supports positioned to engage the supporting elements of a supporting arm, said shaft being pivotally mounted on said member to permit alignment of said supports of said cradle and the supporting elements of said arm.

7. In a portable demountable supporting standard including a plurality of radially extending supporting arms each including at its outer end a plurality of vertically spaced supporting elements, an adjustable pedestal for each of said arms comprising, a base member of substantial supporting area, an upwardly extending threaded supporting shaft, a ball and socket connection for supporting said shaft from said base member, and a cradle threaded on said shaft and including vertically spaced supports positioned to engage the supporting elements of a supporting arm, said shaft connection to saidl3 and a cradle threaded on said shaft and including vertically spaced supports positioned to engage the supporting elements of a supporting arm, said shaft being pivotally mounted on said member to permit alignment of said supports of said cradle and the supporting elements of said arm.

9. In a portable demountable supporting standard including a plurality of radially extending supporting arms each including at its outer end a plurality of vertically spaced apertured supporting lugs, an adjustable pedestal for each of said arms comprising, a base member of substantial supporting area, an upwardly extending threaded supporting shaft rotatably supported from said member, and a cradle threaded on said shaft and including vertically spaced collars engaging said shaft and positioned to engage the apertured supporting lugs of a supporting arm, said shaft being pivotally mounted on said member to permit alignment of saidsupports of said cradle and the supporting elements of said .arm.

10. In a portable demountable supporting standard including a plurality of radially extending supporting arms each including at its outer end a plurality of vertically spaced apertured supporting lugs, an adjustable pedestal for each of said arms comprising, a base member of substantial supporting area, an upwardly extending threaded supporting shaft rotatably supported from said member, and a cradle threaded on said shaft and including vertically spaced collars engaging said shaft and positioned and proportioned to effect a locking engagement with the apertured supporting lugs of a supporting arm,

said shaft being pivotally mounted on said mem i ber to permit alignment of said supports of said cradle and the supporting elements of said arm.

11. In a. portable demountable supporting,

standard including a plurality of radially extending supporting arms each including at its outer end a plurality of vertically spaced supporting elements, an adjustable pedestal for each of said arms comprising, a base member of substantial supporting area, an upwardly extending threaded supporting shaft rotatably supported from said member, a cradle threaded on said shaft and including vertically spaced supports positioned to engage the supporting elements of a supporting arm, said shaft being pivotally mounted on said member to permit alignment of said supports of said cradle and the supporting elements of said arm, and means for locking said cradle against rotation upon rotational adjustment of said shaft.

12. In a portable demountable supporting standard including a plurality of radially extending supporting arms each including at its outer end a plurality of vertically spaced supporting elements, an adjustable pedestal for each of said arms comprising, a base member of, substantial supporting area, an upwardly extending threaded supporting shaft rotatably supported from said member, a cradle threaded on said shaft and including vertically spaced supports positioned to engage the supporting elements of a supporting arm, said shaft being pivotally mounted on said member to permit alignment'of said supports of said cradle and the supporting elements of said arm, and a latch for locking said cradle to said supporting arm to prevent rotation of said cradle upon rotational adjustment of shaft.

13. A portable demountable supporting stand.- ard including a plurality of radially-extending supporting arms, a central anchor member, an adjustable joint for securing each of a plurality of said arms to said anchor member comprising; a lug extending radially from said anchor member, a complementary aligning slot in said arm, said lug and slot being sufficiently loose-fitting to facilitate ready engagement in assembly, a pin eccentrically pivoted on said anchor member substantially normal to said lug, anda complementary aperture formed in said arm and adapted to engage said pin, pivotal adjustment of said pin being effective to position said arm and said member accurately relative to each other.

14. A portable demountable supporting standard-for a unitary operating mechanism including a plurality of radially-extending supporting arms, a central anchor member, an adjustable joint for securing each of a plurality of said arms to said anchor member comprising, a lug extending radially from said anchor member, a complementary aligning slot in said arm, said lug and slot'being sumcientlyv loose-fitting to facilitate ready engagement in assembly, and a pin'eccentrically pivoted on said anchormember substantially normal to said lug, and a complementary aperture formed in said arm and adapted to engage said pin, the inner ends of said arms being contoured to form a supporting cradle for said mechanism, means for securing said arms to said mechanism in a precisely predetermined position, pivotal adjustment of said pin being effective to position said arm and said member accurately relative to each other to align said securing means.

15. In a portable demountable supporting standard for a mechanism including a vertical rotatable shaft, a fulcrum joint comprising, a member adapted to be supported from the standard and including means for rotating said shaft, a member secured to said shaft, complementary hinge elements formed on said'members, a removable hinge pin for said elements serving as a fulcrum about which said shaft may be swung from a horizontal position to a vertical position,

and means independent of said hinge elements for securing said members together with said shaft in a vertical position 16. In a portable demountable supporting standard for a mechanism including a vertical 17. Ina portable demountable supporting standard for a mechanism including a vertical rotatable shaft, a fulcrum joint comprising, a casing mounted on said standard and including driving means for said shaft, a flanged spindle mounted in said casing and rotatable about a vertical axis by said driving means, a member secured to said shaft, complementary hinge elements formed on said casing, the flange of said spindle and said member, a removable hinge pin for said elements serving 'as a fulcrum about which said shaft may be swung from a horizontal position to a vertical position, and means independent of said hinge elements for securing said spindle and said member together with said shaft in a vertical position.

18. In a portable demountable supporting standard for a mechanism including a vertical rotatable shaft, a fulcrum joint comprising, a member adapted to be supported from the standard and including means for rotating said shaft, a member secured to said shaft, complementary hinge elements formed on said members, a removable hinge pin for said elements serving as a fulcrum about which said shaft may be swung from a horizontal position to a vertical position, one of said members including a plurality of apertures, and a plurality of swing bolts attached to the other of said members and disposed to engage said apertures for securing said members together with said shaft in a vertical position.

19. In a portable demountable supporting standard for a mechanism including a vertical rotatable shaft, a fulcrum joint comprising. a casing mounted on said standard and including driving means for said shaft, a flanged spindle mounted in said casing and rotatable about a vertical axis by said driving means, a flanged sleeve secured to said shaft, complementary hinge elements formed on said casing and on the flanges of said spindle and said sleeve, a removable hinge pin for said elements serving as a fulcrum about which said shaft may be swung from a horizontal position to a vertical position, the flange of said sleeve being provided with a plurality of peripheral slots, and a plurality of swing bolts attached to the flange of said spindle and disposed to engage said slots for securing said spindle and said sleeve together with said shaft in a vertical position.

20. A portable demountable mechanism comprising, a supporting standard, an extended vertical rotatable shaft, a member secured to said shaft, a preassembled portable driving unit for said shaft comprising a casing for detachably engaging said standard, complementary hinge elements secured to said member and said casing, a removable hinge pin for said hinge elements serving as a fulcrum about which said shaft may be swung from a horizontal position to a vertical position during assembly of the mechanism, and means independent of said hinge elements for se curing said. shaft in a vertical position.

21. A portable demountable mechanism comprising, a supporting standard, an extended vertical rotatable shaft, a member secured to said shaft, a preassembled portable driving unit for said shaft comprising a casing for detachably engaging said standard, a flanged spindle for supporting said shaft mounted in said casing and rotatable about a vertical axis, complementry hinge elements secured to said member, said spindle flange, and said casing, a removable hinge pin for said hinge elements serving as a fulcrum about which said shaft may be swung from a horizontal position to a vertical position and serving also to align said shaft and said spindle during assembly of the mechanism, and means independent of said hinge elements for securing said shaft in a vertical position.

STANLEY R. HOWARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenlces are of record in the file of this patent:

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